A 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle was the runaway leader in the latest Collector Investor Auctions sale, realizing an impressive $417,450 including buyer’s premium when bidding concluded August 16, 2026. The iconic Mantle attracted 121 bids, easily making it the highest priced lot of the auction and once again demonstrating the extraordinary demand surrounding one of the hobby’s most important postwar baseball cards.
Mantle also accounted for the auction’s second highest result. A 1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle rookie card graded PSA 4 drew 68 bids before selling for $38,525. Combined, the auction’s two leading Mantle cards generated $455,975.
Basketball was represented near the top by a 1986 Fleer Basketball complete set of 132 cards with 24 graded stars, which sold for $21,850 after 19 bids. The landmark set is anchored by Michael Jordan’s celebrated #57 rookie card and remains one of the defining basketball issues of the modern collecting era.
Vintage baseball rarities followed. A scarce 1911-1916 T216 Kotton People’s Ty Cobb batting card, graded PSA 1 and identified as a Pop 2 example, realized $14,950 after 44 bids. A 1910 Orange Borders Christy Mathewson, hand-cut and graded PSA 1, also described as Pop 2 and the highest graded, generated particularly strong competition with 89 bids before reaching $13,915.
Top 10 Collector Investor Auctions Results
- 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle – MBA 7 121 $417,450
- 1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle RC – PSA 4 68 $38,525
- 1986 Fleer Basketball Complete Set (1-132), 24 Graded Stars 19 $21,850
- 1911-1916 T216 Kotton People’s Ty Cobb Batting – PSA 1, Pop 2 44 $14,950
- 1910 Orange Borders Christy Mathewson – PSA 1, Pop 2 89 $13,915
- 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays – PSA 4 47 $9,890
- 1986 Star Michael Jordan #4 – BGS 9 39 $8,510
- 1921 Exhibits Babe Ruth – PSA 1.5 (MK) 52 $8,504.25
- 1953 Topps #82 Mickey Mantle – PSA 3.5 41 $8,280
- 1986 Fleer #57 Michael Jordan RC – PSA 4 54 $8,165
*Prices include buyer’s premium.
The Willie Mays card provided another important 1952 Topps result, with the #261 Mays graded PSA 4 selling for $9,890. Babe Ruth also made an appearance among the leaders, as a 1921 Exhibits Ruth graded PSA 1.5 (MK) brought $8,504.25 after 52 bids.
Michael Jordan Cards Draw Strong Bidding
Michael Jordan was particularly well represented throughout the auction. In addition to the 1986 Fleer #57 Jordan rookie PSA 4, which realized $8,165, several BGS 9 cards from a 1986 Star set break generated thousands of dollars apiece.
The 1986 Star Jordan #4 BGS 9 led that group at $8,510, followed by the #10 at $8,050, #3 at $7,015, #9 at $6,900, and #2 at $5,635.
Other notable results included a 1997 Upper Deck Game Jersey Ken Griffey Jr. authentic autograph, graded BGS 7 with an Auto 10, at $8,165, and a 1940 Play Ball #225 “Shoeless” Joe Jackson PSA 4.5 at $7,503.75.
Complete auction results can be found at bid.collectorinvestorauctions.com.
1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle Hi# MBA 7 – Sold For $417,450
